Office of Teaching Initiatives

Date: September 27 & 28, 2007
Location: State Education Department, Seminar Room 5A&B, Albany, New York

Members Present

Debra Colley, co-chair
Eric Gidseg, co-chair
Richard Ahola
Sheila Appel
Allison Cugini
Desma DeGraw
Richard Feller
Catalina Fortino
Cheryl Freedman

Rosemary Harrigan
Lloyd Jaeger
Gerald Mager
Nicholas Michelli
Susan Mittler
Eva Mroczka
Joseph Perez
Susan Phillips
Tira Randall

Evie Rich
Patricia Roberts
Pamela Sandoval
Frank Scelsa
Gale Sookdeo
Kathy Taylor
Sally Thompson

MEMBERS ABSENT

Erik Bitterbaum

STAFF PRESENT

September 27, 2007

1. Call to Order

Day One of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 3:27 p.m.

2. Meeting Minutes

Motion:
That the minutes of the June 2007 meeting be approved.
(Moved by N. Michelli, seconded by S. Phillips, carried.)

3. Welcome New Members

New members Richard Ahola, Sheila Appel, Richard Feller, Gerald Mager, Tira Randall, Pamela Sandoval, and Gale Sookdeo introduced themselves and were welcomed to the Board.

4. Subcommittee Reports

Professional Practices Subcommittee: Rosemary Harrigan, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on September 27, prior to the full Board meeting. The subcommittee reviewed 21 Part 83 cases. The subcommittee discussed Teacher Center funding applications in anticipation of final funding decisions at the October meeting. The subcommittee also discussed the proposed tenure regulation and the draft Professional Standards document.

Higher Education Subcommittee: Nick Michelli, chair, reported that the subcommittee met on September 27, prior to the full Board meeting. The subcommittee conducted two RATE reviews. The subcommittee also discussed the proposed tenure regulation and a consumer complaint received by Board members.

5. Overview of Year’s Agenda/ Board Processes

The co-chairs presented an overview of the Board’s goals for the upcoming year and the focus on the work of three ad hoc work groups: professional development standards, mentoring standards, and teacher education policy. Also, they outlined new Board processes and the role of the subcommittees.

6. Ad Hoc Work Groups

The focus of each of the three ad hoc work groups was described and membership was established.

7. Proposed Professional Development Standards

Trish Roberts and ad hoc work group presented the draft of the proposed Statewide Professional Development Standards and described the process used to develop the draft.

8. Adjournment

The co-chairs adjourned Day One of the meeting at 5:43 p.m.

September 28, 2007

1. Call to Order

Day Two of the meeting was called to order by the co-chairs at 8:05 a.m.

2. Ad Hoc Work Groups

Ad hoc group works met.

3. Conversation with Commissioner Mills

Commissioner Mills and members discussed the Board priorities for the year, the Regents budget priorities and P-16 initiatives.

4. SED Policy Update

Bob Bentley reported on the following:

• Regents adoption of technical amendments
• Live scanning process for fingerprinting
• Upcoming DS meeting re scope of practice issues for school leaders
• Efforts to enhance TOTY/ Standards Board relationship
• Upcoming release of testing contract RFP
• Budget to include teacher/student boundary issues
• Development of regs implementing autism legislation
• Development of regs for 175 hour PD for school leaders
• Update on status of amendments to special education regulations
• Development of regs implementing tenure law
• Sunset date on individual evaluation & managing transition
• Preliminary Report in response to Article VII

5. Proposed Professional Development Standards

Susan Phillips and the ad hoc work group presented a revised draft of the Professional Development Standards, based upon yesterday’s discussion.

Motion 1: To accept the revised draft of the proposed Professional Development Standards for release to the public, with comments to come back to the Board for review.
(Moved by C. Freedman, seconded by F. Scelsa, carried.)

6. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn:
(Moved by S. Mittler, seconded by C. Freedman, carried.)
The co-chairs adjourned Day Two of the meeting at 12:30.